Lightning strike at New Jersey archery range kills 1, injures over a dozen
Lightning strike at New Jersey archery range kills 1, injures over a dozen
Authorities say 61-year-old Robert Montgomery was killed when a lightning bolt struck an archery range in Jackson, New Jersey. Over a dozen others, including members of a Boy Scout troop, were injured in the lightning strike.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP, N.J. - A local man is dead and several others, including members of a boy scout troop, are injured following a lightning strike at a New Jersey archery range on Wednesday.
Robert Montgomery, a 61-year-old from Cinnaminson, was killed when a bolt of lightning struck at Black Knight Bowbenders Archery Range in Jackson, New Jersey.
Gov. Phil Murphy called the deadly lightning strike a "tragic incident."
What we know:
Officials say the lightning strike happened just after 7 p.m. Wednesday at Black Knight Bowbenders Archery Range, an outdoor facility in Jackson Township.
Robert Montgomery, 61, was killed in the strike and 14 others – including members of a cub scout troop as young as 7-years-old – were injured.
Their injuries ranged from burns to feeling sick, according to officials.
Most of the victims were taken to Jersey Shore Medical Center and CentraState Medical Center for treatment.
One victim was transported to the Livingston Burn Center.
What they're saying:
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said he was immediately briefed on the deadly strike and called it a "tragic incident."
Gene Grodzki was out on the range when the strike happened and called it "the loudest thing I've ever heard."
"Normally you would hear thunder – there was no thunder – there was no thunder before, there was no thunder after," Grodzki said.
He recalled the panic that followed the strike, including children on the ground.
"All the kids were able to get up, they were ambulatory," Grodzki said. "They could walk, they sat down on benches, their parents were hugging them."
Dig deeper:
The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for the area about 15 minutes before the deadly strike.
The Weather Service says the risk of being struck by lightning over an 80-year lifespan is about 1-in-15,300.